MSc Animal Biology and Welfare

Postgraduate Opportunities

Writtle College

Course Aims
The scheme will provide students with an opportunity to:
- Study at an advanced level the techniques used for assessing animal welfare in a range of species and environments, and to determine the limitations to these methods
- Develop an enhanced understanding of animal welfare by specific reference to the biology of the animal and appraise the issues that relate to international criteria for animal welfare.
- Develop existing knowledge and experience in the biology of designated species (farm, companion and exotic species) maintained in their managed or natural environment. This will be achieved using a case study approach and the research project.

Who the Course is for
This is an advanced course for students from the biological sciences who want to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the biology and welfare of companion, domesticated and wild animals managed for production or leisure. Applicants will normally hold a BSc or equivalent in a related topic, but applications are welcome from individuals with extensive industrial experience. Applications from non-UK students are particularly welcome.

Duration
The modular course is delivered in the UK and The Netherlands. It is expected that most of the students undertaking the course will do so on a full-time basis over one year. It is however possible to study over a two or three year period as a part-time student. Students will study at Writtle from September to December. The second stage of the course is delivered at HAS Den Bosch University from January to April. A minimum of three months will be spent studying away from the UK.

Delivery and Assessment
The teaching methods are a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, visits and student managed learning. The self-guided study takes place under the supervision of staff from the Centre of Animal Biology and Welfare at Writtle College and HAS Den Bosch. Students are assessed using a number of methods, for example written papers case studies and project reports.

The research dissertation/project allows the student to undertake specialist research in a specific field relating to animal biology and welfare. The project must include a practical experiment to demonstrate that the student can gather and process data and problem solve. The project is supervised by an academic member of staff and takes place over a 20-week period during the summer. The project can be based at Writtle or HAS Den Bosch, or at an external organisation.

Key Features
- A combination of theory, practical experience and industrial visits alongside the development of interpersonal and communication skills.
- A second term of study, delivered in English, at HAS Den Bosch University of Professional Education in The Netherlands.
- Opportunities to undertake research in the UK or The Netherlands.

Career Prospects
Graduates are likely to enter management positions in the animal industry, animal welfare organisations or further studies at advanced postgraduate level.

Funding
The Alice Noakes Charitable Trust has provided four bursaries to support UK students wishing to study the MSc Animal Biology Welfare or MSc Animal Production and Nutrition courses at Writtle College. UK graduates must hold an honours degree at 2.2 or above in a related discipline. Applicants who have successfully secured an offer may apply for a bursary which provides full or partial funding of tuition fees. The bursaries will be awarded on a competitive basis and applications will be considered by a panel chaired by the Head of School. The Trust was established with an animal welfare focus in East Anglia. Therefore, the criteria for selection of the successful recipients will reflect this welfare and regional emphasis. The closing date for bursary applications is 18 July 2008. Successful applicants will be notified by 18 August 2008.